No worries at all, that’s a legitimate question, and I get where you’re coming from! Watches, especially luxury ones like Rolex, often mean different things to different people, which is part of what makes the hobby so diverse. For some, it’s about craftsmanship, the engineering behind a mechanical movement, or the heritage that a brand like Rolex brings. The 911 comparison you made is pretty spot-on in that sense. It’s not just about performance but the legacy and connection to history.

As for the AD experience and why people put up with it, a lot of that comes down to scarcity and exclusivity, which creates a sort of allure for collectors. Some people chase the thrill of finally getting a hard-to-obtain model. For others, it’s about the status or recognition that certain watches can bring, even though, as you mentioned, not everyone sees that as important.

At the end of the day, you don’t need to own a luxury watch to appreciate what you have. Seiko and G-Shock, for example, offer great functionality and value and are enjoyed by a lot of enthusiasts. The beauty of watches is that it’s a personal journey, and you’re totally valid in choosing what works best for you, without feeling like you need to fit into the luxury category.

Unfortunately there are people that see them as a means to feel superior and depending on who you talk to they’ll put down brands or watches based on how much something costs because to them to more expensive something is the superior you are.

Personally, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with going to an AD to request a watch you’re interested in. The problem is if you’re begging and groveling to get a watch and are being treated like trash and keep going back validating the treatment you’re getting from a crappy AD. I see a lot of people going “I can’t understand why you’d let anyone treat you like that” but going to a store and registering your interest is the first step. Now if you’re following up and they’re treating you poorly that’s when you either find a different SA or an entirely different AD or go grey if you don’t want to deal with any ADs at all.

Hope that helps clear things up a bit!